I first learned about the Maryland Ice Cream Trail at the end of last summer, too late in the year for us to go visit all 8 of dairy farms on the list. Fortunately, the Ice Cream Trail program is running again this summer! The program features 8 Maryland dairy farms that make and sell their own ice cream on the farm. I love this idea for many reasons, supporting local farmers, letting my kids see where their food is coming from, but really the bottom line is that I just love ice cream. Any excuse to go check out some cool farms and sample fresh, homemade ice cream seems like a good plan. So we started the tour this year with our first stop, Priegal Family Creamery which is located very close to the city, just about 20ish minutes away, in Glen Arm, Maryland.

The farm is now and has for the last 100 years been owned and run by the Priegal family. While you can see their actual dairy farm from the road, they sell their ice cream and other stuff (yogurt, milk) right off of Long Green Road, not far from Loch Raven Reservoir. The cows are usually out to pasture but the walk by everyday between 3:30 and 4 and we just happen to get there at that time to see them. The girls loved seeing the cows, even if the Bee was less then impressed by their smell. We then went in to order some ice cream. They have lots and lots of flavors that change everyday and they make sundaes, shakes and even ice cream sandwiches. The girls both choose a flavor and I got a shake. All of which was unbelievably delicious. They don't have seating (or a public bathroom but the do have a spot-a-pot) so you can bring your own blanket or borrow one of theirs to sit outside. The girls were so excited to have an ice cream picnic and the view of the farmland was really nice. We, of course, had to get a pint of ice cream to bring home when we were finished. I see more trips to Priegels in our future, they are so close and such a nice, delicious way to get out of the city for a bit.